Where are they now? Several former Tigers still seeking major league roster spots

Nearly a dozen Tigers from last year's squad won't be competing for a spot on Detroit's roster this spring. Among those seeking success elsewhere include a trio of veterans that have combined for four All-Star appearances, four World Series titles and even a 2006 Fielding Bible Award.

Here's an up-to-date roundup of the 11 players that were spotted on Detroit's active roster last year and have since moved on:

Jeremy Bonderman

Jeremy Bonderman: Bonderman is still on the outside looking in. At last count, Bonderman was holding out for a Major League contract with a guaranteed roster spot, but his chances are growing considerably slimmer as Opening Day nears. Cleveland was reported as being only willing to offer a minor league deal, but that too could change if the Tribe lands Kevin Millwood. Perhaps the retirement that Bonderman had pondered last season is right around the corner.

Eddie Bonine: Bonine was left unprotected by Detroit, and in turn, signed a minor league deal with Philadelphia this offseason. He received a nonroster invite this spring and is competing for a spot in the Phillies’ bullpen. Bonine, who spent three years in the Tigers’ organization, will likely start the season in Triple-A, but could see big-league time should injuries arise. Bonine, a groundball king, has a four-pitch arsenal, including his infamous 80-mph knuckleball that was considered an innings-eating machine. Bonine’s absence could be felt the most by Detroit as the club seemingly has only one long reliever, in left-hander Brad Thomas.

Adam EverettAdam Everett: Everett was batting .185 without a home run and only four RBIs in 81 at-bats when the Tigers designated him for assignment last season. Everett couldn’t find a home for the remainder of the year, but eventually signed a minor-league deal with the Cleveland Indians this offseason with an invitation to camp. It is entirely possible Everett make the club as a backup shortstop because of his dependable infield glove. Then again, he can't hide from a bat forever.

Johnny Damon: It took some time for Damon to find a new home after the Tigers told the 37-year-old in October he wouldn’t be re-signed. He finally agreed to a $5.25 million base salary with Tampa Bay in late January, which included $750,000 worth of incentives based on attendance. There’s speculation that super-agent Scott Boras convinced the Rays to sign his other client, Manny Ramirez, as part of a package deal at the combined price of $7.25 million. So much for the Rays being in a rebuilding mode.

Damon's absence could prove to be a big blow to Detroit. He essentially filled the Tigers’ No. 2 spot, making 339 of his 539 at-bats behind the leadoff hitter, and was No. 2 on the team in stolen bases (11) behind leadoff hitter Austin Jackson. Without Damon, the Tigers' less-than-effective base running will take an even bigger hit.

Casey Fien

Casey Fien: Traveling Man has moved on to the Houston Astros organization following a season that took him from the Tigers to the Boston Red Sox to the Toronto Blue Jays and back to the Tigers again, in a three-week span. Detroit cut Fien loose after he spent much of the season in Triple-A last year. The 27-year-old nomad eventually signed with Houston in November that included a nonroster invite, but is considered a long shot to earn a spot in the Astros’ bullpen.

Alfredo Figaro: Figaro will be playing for the Orix Buffaloes of Japan’ Pacific League this year after the Tigers sold off his contract in December. Figaro, ranked the No. 15 best Tigers prospects by Baseball America in 2010, posted a 4.14 ERA in 124 innings at Triple-A Toledo last year. He appeared in eight games with the Tigers last year with an 0-2 record and a 6.75 ERA. With Jacob Turner, Andy Oliver and Charlie Furbush seemingly the only prospects capable of filling a spot in the Tigers' rotation, Detroit might regret accepting a wad of cash.

Jeff Frazier: Frazier has been in and out of the Tigers’ farm system since 2004. As of today, he’s out. The Washington Nationals signed him out of free agency this offseason to be one of their power-hitting outfielders in their farm system. Frazier spent two weeks in Detroit last summer, but the 28-year-old’s brief stint resulted in a 5-for-23 showing with one walk, no homers and six strikeouts. Frazier accepted a big-league invitation as a nonroster invitee and will be competing for a spot on the Nationals’ 25-man roster this spring.

Gerald Laird: Laird’s starter days are a thing of the past. The 31-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Cardinals back in December, and he’s expected to be the club’s backup catcher to Yadier Molina. Laird is coming off a career-worst offensive season in which he hit .207 for the Tigers, but his throw-out rate of attempted base stealers was an impressive 38 percent. Laird has averaged about 400 plate appearances the last four seasons, but with Molina, a two-time Gold Glove winner, behind the plate, Laird probably will see a third of his usual at-bats this year.

Jeff Larish

Jeff Larish: Larish was designated for assignment by Detroit in late July following his third big-league stint. The Tigers needed to clear room to bring on board Jeff Frazier and Larish, ranked fifth among Tigers prospects by Baseball America in 2009, was placed on the chopping block. He was Detroit’s fifth-round pick in 2005, and hit .239 with six homers and 24 RBIs in parts of three seasons. Oakland claimed Larish, but left him off its 40-man roster – and, in turn, Larish filed for free agency at season’s end. He’s now roaming the Phillies’ system after signing a minor league contract and will be at big-league camp this spring.

Jay Sborz: Sborz’s lone appearance in a Detroit uniform certainly wasn’t memorable -- allowing five runs in 2/3 inning and hitting the first two batters he faced. Nevertheless, he was a member of Detroit’s 25-man roster and is to be accounted for. Sborz was released by the Tigers, but the Braves moved in and signed him to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training in November. He’ll be competing for a spot in the Braves’ bullpen, but is considered a long shot.

Dontrelle WillisDontrelle Willis: If anyone can turn Dontrelle Willis into the perennial pitcher he was in Florida, it’s Bryan Price. Price, the pitching coach for Cincinnati, will have his hands full as Willis attempts his transition from a starter to reliever. Willis, who pitched for three organizations last season, signed a Minor League contract in November with the Reds, which included a spring training invite. The odds are against Willis earning a spot on the 25-man roster, but I’ll be rooting for him.